Gujjars hold protest in Jammu

Jammu, May 29 (IANS) Scores of Gujjars marched in a procession in Jammu and attempted to block the railway tracks by squatting on them, to express their solidarity with community members in Rajasthan agitating for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list. The rallyists raised slogans in support of the demand of Rajasthan’s Gujjars as they marched to the railway track and staged a sit-in. However, they were persuaded to move off the railway tracks by the authorities who pleaded with them that it would cause great inconvenience to Vaishno Devi pilgrims.

“We have registered our protest. But this is not the end of it,” said Shah Mohammad, general secretary of the Gujjar United Front, which organised the protest.

He said the next step would be a relay hunger strike outside the governor’s residence here from Saturday. They also plan to go to Rajasthan to support the agitating Gujjars there.

“Gujjars in Jammu and Kashmir are Muslims, but they are indebted to the Hindu Gujjars who offered us their support when we were asking for Scheduled Tribe status.”